Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was shot dead during an armed robbery in Co Louth in January 2013, is to be posthumously awarded the highest Garda honour for bravery today.

His widow Caroline is due to accept a Gold Scott Medal on his behalf at the Garda College in Templemore.

Det Donohoe's colleague, DetJoseph Ryan who was held at gunpoint during the same incident, will also be presented with a Scott Medal for bravery.

RTÉ reports that they are among 14 gardaí whose courage in the line of duty is being recognised for a variety of actions, including facing down and disarming armed robbers, rescuing families from burning buildings and saving people from drowning.

Dets Donohoe and Ryan were on a cash escort from a number of credit unions on the Cooley Peninsula on 25 January 2013.

An armed gang of five men blocked them in at the car park of the Lordship Credit Union at Bellurgan just outside Dundalk at around 9.30pm.

When Det Donohoe got out to investigate, two armed gunmen ran towards him and one shot him dead.

Det Ryan was then held at gunpoint by two of the raiders while the others robbed cash and other items from the credit union employees.

No one has ever been charged in relation to the armed robbery or murder.